How to Get What You Need from God!

You’re a junior in high school. You have friends, activities and a reputation. Life is good.

And God calls you to start a Bible study.

What will people think of me?

I don’t know how to run a Bible study!

Where would I get the resources to start?

How would you feel as an adult if God said the same thing for your workplace? Or your neighborhood?

More importantly, what would you do?

This scenario is real. We heard this story last Sunday from a young woman who is now a graduating high school senior. Her story has a typical start, but an extraordinary ending. What made the difference?

Let’s walk through her story and find out!

The Excuses

Her story starts like many others. Typically, when God calls, we produce lists. Lists of why things won’t work, lists of why this isn’t a good fit… or the right time.

Her list included several great questions:

How do I do what you’ve asked?

Where will I get resources?

Who will sponsor? (high school clubs require a teacher to sponsor)

What if no one comes?

According to her story, her list trumped God’s request for a time. But there was a cost.

The Results of Excuses

Over time, she became increasingly unhappy. God became distant. In her own words, she had never been in such a spiritual pit in her life.

Perhaps you know the feeling. You go through the motions of life on the outside, but on the inside you have no spiritual pulse. Nothing resonates with your soul. You experience unrest and discontentment.

Eventually, this discontentment spills out and impacts others. And perhaps the saddest part of all? It doesn’t have to be that way. God still has a plan… and a call. And while it’s true that God doesn’t need you, the better news is that God wants you!

Better because if God needed you, then God’s interest in you would be self-serving. God would “use” you. But God doesn’t need you, he wants you. Why? Because God’s interest in you is pure love. God loves you… period! God doesn’t “use” you in the negative sense… God “calls” you.

So… if the results of excuses to God are discontentment and spiritual dryness… what’s the solution?

Submission to God

For this particular young lady, God’s call to start a Bible study wouldn’t go away. Finally, out of a need for relief, she said yes to God. She said yes without a sponsor, without resources, and without an audience.

The Results of Submission

It’s amazing how God works through willing people. Within a few short weeks:

She found resources

She found a teacher willing to sponsor

She found 41 high schoolers willing to participate

And most importantly, 3 of those students found Christ.

3 high schoolers lives are dramatically different. I’m sure there are more to follow. Other students are strengthened in their faith. Teachers are being reminded of what God’s love looks like as they see the change in those students. These are the same teachers who are shaping the next generation of America. Isn’t it awesome that they will be shaped by people who can see God’s love at work every day?

Lesson Learned

Notice the order of events: submitting to God’s will… THEN resources, help, success. God doesn’t negotiate a contract with conditions. God calls…

And then God equips.

Isn’t God awesome?

Where is God calling you today? Are you negotiating… or submitting? Share your stories of answering God’s call to affirm others who are tentative!

Amen Shelly! In fact, one of the lines from this young lady’s sermon on Sunday was basically that if you stop fighting God, then God can make His will for your life your will. The sermon was titled “God’s Will = Your Will.”
I pray also that we have the courage to follow… and to make that choice over and over again as we’re tempted to do anything else.
Be blessed!

Welcome!

Welcome to the intersection of faith and life!
My greatest desire is to connect my faith to everyday life, and to live out God's great message of reconciliation and hope.
My blog is a reflection of my musings on how to do just that, and it will be made better by your comments!
Join in the journey of a lifetime... and transform the world!
Bill